Electric switching device



Feb. 27, 1934. c, c. LANE 1,948,969

ELECTRIC SWITCHING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Si 28 \Ir'C. C. LANE awJM A TTORNE V Feb. 27, 1934. c. 0. LANE 1,948,969

ELECTRIC SWITCHING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I07 /03/O0 /0/ I02 /04 lNVENTOR C. C. LANE ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 27, 1934UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Bell Telephone Laboratories,

Incorporated,

New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 14, 1930.Serial No. 452,160

10 Claims. (01. 200-833) This invention relates to switching devices andmore particularly to direction control switching devices such as thoseemployed in communicating systems adapted for simplex operation.

In simplex operated telegraph systems such as those employed for thehigh speed transoceanic transmission wherein the terminal apparatus isarranged to alternately transmit and receive messages, it has been foundnecessary to vary the duration of the transmitting and receivingintervals several times daily in accordance with traffic requirements.An object of this invention is to effect these changes in a simple andexpeditious manner.

High speed submarine cable systems are at present arranged for simplexoperation and the direction of transmission is periodically changed by acombination of shafts rotating at different speeds and having camsthereon cut to close contacts for certain periods during theirrespective revolutions. At certain intervals all contacts will be closedsimultaneously to complete a circuit for operating a switch whichreverses the direction of transmission. In the systems disclosed in U.S. Patents 1,689,328, 1,799,214 and 1,823,354, respectively granted toA. M. Curtis on October 30, 1928, A. A. Clokey on April 7, 1931 and Dowdet al on September 15, 1931, these reversals are effected every sixminutes or twice during one rotation of the shaft which makes onerevolution every twelve minutes. It is stated, however, in the CurtisPatent 1,689,328, that the cam which provides for the six minuteintervals is one of a plurality rotating on the same shaftv and cut tovary the duration of intervals in a twelve minute period. A contactoperating arm is movable to operate with any one of the latter cams andmay vary the time of transmission in either direction to accommodate thetraffic.

In accordance with the present invention, a desirable simplification iseffected whereby the selection of the transmitting and receivingintervals is done in an expeditious and positive manner. This isaccomplished by a preselective switch whereby any desired timing ratioof reversing intervals may be had by operating one of a plurality ofpush-buttons provided for a seswitch shaft. When the effective point isreached whereat the new position is assumed, the contacts previouslyoperated are automatically restored. Furthermore, the switch is arrangedto effect continuous transmission in either direction.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by referring to thefollowing detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of the timing switch mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation view of Fig. 1 showing sectional viewsthereof;

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional elevation views taken alonglines 3--3, 4-4, 55 and 66 respectively in Fig. 1';

Fig. 7 is a schematic circuit arrangement for effecting the transferfrom a sending to a receiving position, and vice versa, in a signalingsystem adapted for simplex operation;

Fig. 8 is a modification of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation view of Fig. 8 showing sectional viewsthereof.

Like parts are designated by like numbers.

Referring to Fig. 1, rotating shaft 11 is arranged (although not shown)to be operated from the driving motor for a multiplex rotor distributorthrough a system of reduction gears, the shaft being arranged to makeone revolution in twelve minutes, each cycle of operation including atransmitting and a receiving interval of the same or' of differentduration. Shaft 11 has fixedly mounted thereon a plurality of cams 12,13 and 14 designed to effect different timing ratios for thetransmitting and receiving intervals. For the purpose of illustration,cam 12 may be designed for transmitting and receiving intervals of sixminutes each, cam 13 for transmitting for nine minutes and for receivingfor three minutes, or vice versa, and cam 14 for transmittingcontinuously in one direction only, say east to west, the switch beingarranged when in normal position, to transmit continuously in a west toeast direction. Cam 15 is also fixedly mounted on shaft 11 forpreventing the switch from being operated at the time selection is made,thereby providing the preselection feature.

It is understood, however, that any other deired timing ratios may behad by providing other cams on shaft 11. A better understanding of theoperation of the switch mechanism will be had by considering Figs. 1 to6 together inasmuch as these figures show different views of the onemechanism, with like parts having like numbers.

Cams 12, 13 and 14 are each provided on one face with an annular channelfor effecting the desired timing ratio of transmission to reception ineach cycle of operation. On cam 12, shown in Fig. 3, the channel has twodepressions 180 apart with a point of entry A to the channel at thebeginning of one depression. On cam 13, shown in Fig. 4, the channel hastwo depressions 90 apart with a point of entry B at the beginning of onedepression. On cam 14, shown in Fig. 5, the channel, instead of forminga complete circle as in Figs. 3 and 4, forms an are beginning at pointof entry C and having an angular length of about 90, the are having onlyone depression which is at its middle point. The points of entry A, Band C of the channels are in common alignment. On cam 15, shown in Fig.6, no channels are provided, but a projection on the periphery of thecam is provided in alignment with the points of entry to the channels onthe other cams.

Arranged in engageable relation with the cams 12, 13 and 14 are camriders 16, 17 and 18 respectively, each of which are provided at itsfree end with a hooked portion for engaging its associated channel. Cam15 has a special type of cam rider which will be explained hereinafter.Cam riders 16, 1'7 and 18 are mounted on shaft 19 which is fixedlymounted on the switch structure, the cam riders being arranged to beactuated in a reciprocating or oscillatory manner when selected foroperation. Normally riders 16, 17 and 18 are out of engagement withtheir respective cams but may be selectively operated under theinfluence of their respectively associated spring members 20, 21 and 22.Spring member 22 has a bifurcated end having two spring leaves 23 and 24respectively arranged to simultaneously influence cam rider 18 andconnecting rod 18. The spring members are securely mounted to key plate25 by means of screws 26 and 27 and clamping bar 28, which bar formsthat part of the switch structure which supports shaft 19. Each ofscrews 27 is positioned in alignment with one of cam riders 16, 1'7 and18 and is provided with a coil spring 29 for restoring its associatedcam rider to its normal position. Screw 2'7 and coil spring 29 preventany unnecessary motion of its associated cam rider. Pivotally supportedon the ends of key plate 25 by screws 30 and 31 is a hanging bar 32which is arranged to open and close circuit contacts 33 and 34 inaccordance with the motion applied by cam riders 16, 1'7 and 18.Integrally formed on bar 32 is a projection 35 which supports aninsulated operating stud 36 for actually effecting the opening andclosing of contacts 33 and 34 against the tension of coil spring 37which is fixed to the switch structure at pin 38. The closing ofcontacts 33 and 34 is effected by any one of the cam riders 15, 1'7 and18 bearing against its associated coil spring 29 and its associatedadjusting screw 39. Contacts 33 and 34 may be insulatively mounted inany suitable manner on the switch structure. The

" switch structure may be mounted on a fixed base spectively engaged,and plunger 46 is held in normal position by coil spring 52. button hasa button-shaped head formed integrally on the lower end of its shank forthe purpose of locking the button in either an unoperated or a normalposition and plunger 46 has a longitudinal slot in its shank wherein apin 47 fixedly mounted in key plate 25, as shown is adapted to regulatethe amount of motion applied to the plunger. Movably mounted on theunder side of key plate 25 is a locking plate 48 which is adapted toshift longitudinally against the tension of coil spring 49 when any oneof the push-buttons is depressed. When the selected push-button reachesits fully depressed position the coil spring 49 which is fixedly mountedon the switch structure by pin 50, causes plate 48 to return to itsnormal position thereby looking the button in its operated position. Thebutton-head on the shank of push-button 45 is of a sufficient area toengage spring leaves 23 and 24 of spring member 22. The operation of anyone of push-buttons 43, 44 and 45 causes the spring member associatedtherewith to bear down on the cam rider which engages the periphery ofits associated cam which is rotating at a speed of one revolution pertwelve minutes. The rider bears down on the cam periphery until thepoint of entry to the channel is reached at which time the hookedportion of the rider drops into the channel and rides therein followingany depressions that may appear in the channel. The rider, in beingcarried down the channel depressions, closes contacts 33 and 34 for aninterval of about three or four seconds which is the period in which therider is in the depressed portion of the channel. The interval betweenclosures of contacts 33 and 34 is determined by the push-buttonselected.

As stated above, cam 12 is designed to provide six minute sending andsix minute receiving intervals; cam 13 for nine minute sending and threeminute receiving intervals; and cam 14 for sending continuously in aneasterly direction, continuous transmission in a westerly directionbeing effected when the switch is in normal position. The effects ofoperating push-buttons 43 and 44 are similar and may be readilyunderstood from Figs. 3 and 4 respectively taken in conjunction withwhat has been heretofore stated, but in order to transmit continuouslyin one or the other direction, different operations are effected.Transmitting continuously, in a westerly direction, push-button 42 isoperated, which causes plate 48 to shift momentarily to the left,thereby releasing any other button which happens to be operated at thetime, and locking button 42 in an operated position by the return ofplate 48 to its normal position through the tension of coil spring 49.In this position of the switch none of the cam riders 16, 1'7 and 18 arein engagement with their respectively associated cams. Therefore as longas no pushbutton other than push-button 42 is operated, the circuit foroperating the transfer or changeover switch, as will be hereinafterexplained, will remain open at contacts 33 and 34 and transmission in awesterly direction will be continued.

When transmission in an easterly direction is desired, push-button 45 isdepressed, thereby releasing button 42 through the tension of coilspring 51 or any one of the other buttons which may happen to beoperated at the time through the tension of its respective springmember. The depression of button 45 causes rider 18 to bear down throughthe resiliency of leaf 23 of spring Each push-- member 22 on cam 14.Simultaneously button 45 bears down on leaf 24 of spring member 22 andexerts a downward pressure on connecting rod 18' which is pivotallymounted on latching bar 53 as shown. Bar 53 is also slidably arranged onstandard 40 by pin 54 in engagement with slot 55 and is normally held inthe position shown by means of coil spring 56 fixed to standard 40 andpin 57 mounted in cam rider 18. But when downward pressure is exerted oncam rider 18 and connecting rod 18' simultaneously, pin 57 becomesdisengaged from bar 53 and the lower portion of cam rider 18 moves tothe right to engage adjusting screw 39 tending to push hanging bar 32outward from the switch structure, thereby causing the insulated stud 36to increase the tension on coil spring 37. However, when the hooked endof the cam rider 18 enters the channel of cam 14 at point C, the bar 32is pushed further outwardly. As cam 14 continues to rotate the cam rideris depressed more as the depression of the channel is reached, at whichtime bar 32 and stud 36 are moved sufficiently outward to allow thecontacts 33 and 34 to momentarily close. The closure of contacts 33 and34 completes the operating circuit for the changeover and the transferswitch begins operating to reverse the direction of transmission. As cam14 continues to rotate, the cam rider will become disengaged from thecam channel at point D and ride over the projection 58, forcing the camrider upward against the pressure of spring member 22 and the pin 57will pass over the sloping surface of bar 53 which is now in a depressedposition due to the downward pressure exerted on connecting rod 18' toengage slot 55 in bar 53 where it will remain to hold the cam rider 18out of engagement with cam 14 as long as push-button 45 remains in anoperated or depressed position. When another push-button is operated,button 45 is restored, releasing the pressure on cam rider 18 andconnecting rod 18 and the tension of coil spring 56 allows bar 53 andpin 57 to return to their normal positions.

Cam 15 is provided with a special type of cam rider 60 which isconstantly in engagement with the periphery thereof. It is alsoprovided, as stated above. with a projection 61 on its periphcry in linewith the points of entry A, B and C to the channels on the other cams.The purpose of this cam is to prevent the operation of any push-buttonduring the time the points of entry A, B and C are in position wherebyany cam channel may be engaged by its associated cam rider. In otherwords, this arrangement provides a preselective feature whereby a camrider associated with an operated button will have to ride over a camperiphery for a part of its revolution before the switching operation isstarted. This feature is obtained by causing the plunger or lookingbutton 46 to be depressed once in each revolution of cam shaft 11 by thecam rider 60 passing over projection 61, and button 46 preventslongitudinal movement of locking bar 48 due to an attempt to operate anyof the pushbuttons. Inasmuch as the points of entry to the channels ofthe other cams are in alignment with projection 61, no cam rider can beoperated until cam rider 60 passes off projection 61. Therefore, theinstantaneous operation of the switch in response to the operation ofany button is prevented.

A better understanding of utility of the switch mechanism may be had byreferring to Fig. 7 which shows a schematic circuit for operating thetiming mechanism for a simplex operated signaling system, such asdisclosed in U. S. Patent 1,823,354 granted to Dowd et a1 supra. Amultiplex rotary distributor (not shown) is driven byvibrating-fork-driven phonic wheel motor 75 at a speed of rotation of,say, 300 revolutions per minute, the distributor being mounted on shaft76. By connecting shaft '76 through a system of reduction gears to shaft'77, the latter shaft may be given a speed of five revolutions perminute or one revolution in twelve seconds. Shaft '77 is connected atone end through a system of gears of a 1:1 ratio, to a I shaft 78 whichis in engageable relation through clutch '79 with a shaft 80 of thechangeover or transfer cam switch. The changeover switch by means of aseries of cams mounted thereon, efiects at either terminal station thetransfer of the signaling line or cable from the transmitting to thereceiving apparatus or vice versa. Thus shaft 80 is also given a speedof five revolutions per minute or one revolution in twelve seconds.Shaft 77 is connected at its other end through a system of reductiongears to shaft 81, which is given a speed of one revolution in twelveminutes. Shaft 81 corresponds to the shaft 11 in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive,whereon are shown cams 12, 13, 14 and 15, any one of which is arrangedto cause the operation of contacts 33 and 34. On shaft '76 is fixedlymounted cam 82 which allows ground to be connected momentarily toconductor 83 on every revolution of the shaft. On shaft 77 is fixedlymounted cam 84 which allows conductor 83 to be connected to conductor 85for about four seconds out of every twelve seconds. Cams 12, 13 and 14depending on which one of the push-buttons 43, 44 and 45 of Fig. 1 isselected for operation, interconnects conductors 85 and 86 momentarilyat the desired intervals in every 12 minutes. Assuming that the button44 is depressed, a circuit will be momentarily closed from ground on cam82 through the contacts of earns 84 and 12 in series, through thewinding of magnet 87 to grounded battery 88. Magnet 87 operatesmomentarily to allow lever 89 to move to the right wherebythe teeth ofclutch 79 become engaged to rotate shaft 80 at the rate of fiverevolutions per minute or one revolution in twelve seconds and tothereby rotate the cams which effect the transfer of the line for areversal in the direction of transmission. However, the rotation ofshaft 80 is not continuous because of eccentric cam 90 which is fixedlymounted on shaft 7'7 which is in engageable relation with atoggle-jointed member 91 which, in turn, is pivotally connected to lever89. The release of lever 89 forces member 91 against the rotating cam 90which is arranged to complete a revolution every twelve seconds. Cam 90is so cut that at the end of six seconds or one half revolution itsperiphery forces member 91 and lever 89 to the left to engage thereleased armature of magnet 8'7, thereby disengaging the teeth of clutch79. By this arrangement, shaft 80 is made to rotate a half revolutionevery six minutes, the duration of the rotating interval being sixseconds. Therefore, by operating key 44 the system alternately transmitsand receives for intervals of six minutes each. The operation of any ofthe other pushbuttons will change in any twelve minute period theduration of the transmitting and receiving intervals as desired.

Figs. 8 and 9 respectively illustrate an end elevation and a rearelevation view of a modification of the switch shown in Figs. 1 to 6inclusive, wherein a dial replaces the push-buttons and locking plunger,and the eccentric cams 101, 102 and 103 effect the operation of the camriders. Otherwise the operation of the modification is substantially thesame as that of the switch shown in Figs. 1 to 6. The eccentric cams arefixedly mounted on shaft which may be rotated into any desired positionby operating the dial, the shaft being rotatably mounted on plate 104which may be supported by standards 40 and 41 in any suitable manner.Cams 12, 13, 14 and 15 are operated in the same manner and effect thesame functions as the corresponding cams in Figs. 1 to 6. In order toprovide the preselection feature, cam 15 is provided with anotherspecial type of cam rider 106 which is pivotally mounted on plate 104and is arranged to operate in a manner similar to the special cam rider60 shown in Fig. 6. However, instead of operating a locking plunger, camrider 106 is arranged at its free end to engage a toothed cam 107 tothereby lock the dial while cam rider 106 is passing over the projection61 on cam 15, or in other words, while cam riders 16, 17 and 18 arepassing over the points of entry A, B and C to the channels on theirrespective cams 12, 13 and 14. The setting of the dial may be determinedby indicator 108.

What is claimed is:

l. A switching device comprising a plurality of continuously rotatingelements, a member in engageable relation with each of said elements, acircuit changing contact controlled by said member, selective means forarbitrarily engaging said member with said element, and means forautomatically continuing the engagement of said arbitrarily selectedmember with said element and for releasing any other member fromengagement with its respective element.

2. A switching device comprising a continuously rotating member, aplurality of elements mounted on said member, a contact in engageablerelation with each of said elements, an individual means for operatingsaid contacts, each of said means being arranged to automaticallyrestore its associated contact to normal when any of the other of saidmeans is actuated into an operated position.

3. A switching device comprising a continuously rotating member, aplurality of elements fixedly mounted on said member, an oscillatingmember in engageable relation with each of said elements, individualmeans for arbitrarily operating said members, and means forautomatically restoring any previously operated member to normal whenanother of said members is operated.

at A switching device comprising a continuously rotating member, aplurality of annular elements fixedly mounted on said member, anoscillating member individual to each element for engaging a channel ofdistinctive character on each of said elements, the points of entry forsaid oscillating members to said channels being in common alignment,arbitrarily selected means individual to said oscillating members foroperating any one of said members and for automatically restoring tonormal any previously operated member.

5. A switching device in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of saidchannels has a distinctive irregular alignment.

6. A switching device according to claim 4 wherein means are providedfor preventing any of said oscillating members from entering theirrespective channels at the time the member is selected.

7. A switching device in accordance with claim 4 wherein means areprovided for delaying the engagement of any one of said oscillatingmembers with its respective channel should such member be selected whenit is passing over the point of entry to the channel.

8. In an impulse transmission system adapted for simplex operation, aswitching device comprising a synchronously controlled, continuouslyrotating member, a plurality of annular elements fixedly mounted on saidmember, an oscillating member arranged to engage a channel of adistinctive irregular alignment on each of said annular elements, aresilient member for operating each of said oscillating members, meansfor arbitrarily preselecting any one of said oscillating members throughits respectively associated resilient member for engaging a channel of aparticular annular element, means for automatically restoring anypreviously operated oscillating member to its normal position, a pair ofcircuit changing contacts controlled by said oscillating members andmeans whereby said contacts cooperate with any one of said oscillatingmembers to effect a change in the direction of transmission over acircuit at regular or irregular intervals.

9. In an impulse transmission system adapted for simplex operation, aswitching device in accordance with claim 9 wherein the annular elementsare cams each having a continuous periphery in the form of a truecircle,

10. In an impulse transmission system adapted for simplex operation, aswitching device for effecting changes in the direction of transmissionof a circuit, said device comprising a synchronously controlled,continuously rotating member, a plurality of annular elements fixedlymounted on said member, an oscillating member in engageable relationwith each of said elements, a resilient member for arbitrarily engagingsaid oscillating member with its respectively associated element, meansfor automatically continuing the engagement of said oscillating memberwith said element and for disengaging any other oscillating member fromits respective element, and a circuit changing contact, the making andbreaking of said contact being determined by the engagement of any oneof said oscillating members with its respectively associated element.

CUTHBERT C. LANE.

